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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-11-2003 08:22 PM

bonuts

"Nickell333" if you can get Vortech heads for $125, I would like to know where you live. Or, if you'll ship 'em money's on the way.
I personally can't run anything but stock cast heads, and no Vortechs where I race. So Camel humps are the answer. Plus I'm no fan of Aluminum.

bonuts

04-11-2003 08:15 PM

PrimeMover

Willys, to a certain degree, I go along with most of that - aluminum heads stick out like a sore thumb.. Hard core racers go with aluminum everything for obvious reasons - weight, and the fact that the real spendy 'Bad Boy' stuff has been CNC'd to a nat's testicle, inside and out.

Looking at all the head gasket problems OEM aluminum heads have had when plunked down on iron blocks in factory rigs considered to be totally streetable like let's just say, the 3.8 Taurus or various assorted imports, I don't need them on my streetrod regardless of aluminum's so called "superior performance" or feather weight. On the other hand, there are lots of quality aftermarket iron castings that are quite attractive both in price and git-up... So far, I'm impressed with the way my S/R Torquers are working out. The 53 does a lot better with these heads than it did with those hogged out 461's, now shelved. The WP heads were $724 complete with spring, guide and seal upgrades and Manley 2.02-1.60's.

I know, with the 461's I had no un-needed bolt holes or flat spots but then, I'm not driving a T or an A with an open motor either. I have to say, the price and selection of new 'Made in USA' (mild to wild) performance heads these days is great. The concept of after market iron frees up lots of respectible early heads for those like me who are enclined to like to tinker with them. I've seen several sets of 461's and 186's lately, for under $175 complete. At that price they are CERTAINLY worth buying. Fitted with the bigger valves, these old heads will easily make 350hp with no port work at all. That's plenty for most street rods under 3500lbs. Most your average Sunday-go-to-Meetin' cruise fanatics will chose a smoothie cam anyway...

The old heads are still a good budget conscious pick for the average streeter's dream motor.

[ April 11, 2003: Message edited by: PrimeMover ]</p>

04-11-2003 06:46 AM

Rad Ray

Building a warmed over 350 for a friend and just picked up his 186's from the machine shop. 560 bucks with z springs. It'll work great for what he wants to do. I guess what It comes down to Is If the castings were given free yeah I'd work them If I was shooting for under 375 ponies but If I had to pay for the castings I would go aftermarket.

04-11-2003 06:33 AM

willys36@aol.com

IF I ever put a SBC in a rod (I never will) I wouldn't consider anything but camel humps, regardless of the cost! Aluminum billet stuff doesn't interest me in the slightest. Everytime I see a billet slug in a car it screams at me "Kit Car".

04-11-2003 05:20 AM

TurboS10

I think that camel humps still hold a place in hotrodding, but that is in those that have already been rebuilt. I would never spend the cash to referbish them unless they were in perfect condition and needed very little work. I would say if you can get a set ready to bolt on for $300 or less, they make a great street head.

Chris

04-10-2003 09:19 PM

PrimeMover

186's 462's 461's and 461x heads are fine for stock 327's especially if numbers need to match. Granted, teh yhave thier capabilities but they are horspower labor intensive. There are several cast iron alternatives out there these days that run real strong right out of the box.

04-10-2003 08:59 PM

bigwildgrin

yeah, I dunno, I always heard camel humps were nothing special, but I'm not a chevy man so it's all hearsay anyways.

but, I did have a set of heads rebuilt by a speed shop once. "give em the works," I said, "these are going on a race car." yikes! you have no idea how much fixing up a set of heads can run. sometimes it might be cheaper to buy the aluminum heads that are ready to rock n roll than to have an old set fixed. be careful...

04-10-2003 08:36 PM

nickel333

THANK YOU BOB, Son of a B!*%H i could almost kiss you man, FINALLY somone agrees with me. Im absolutly thrilled. Im almost speechless. Hell man you can get Vortecs for around that price too. "Camel Humps" are a thing of decades past. There is so much more out there for a guy on a tight budget than "camel humps"

04-10-2003 06:59 PM

BOBCRMAN@aol.com

These heads are probably 30 years old or more, they aren't set up for unleaded gas, I get kids bringing these heads in all the time, you will have $350.00 min in labor and parts if they are in decent shape, most are worn out and need about $475.00 in parts and labor, you still will have old heads, you can buy S.R. heads or Pro Topline heads for less money and get 30 more hp right out of the box and they are new and have resale value if you want to sell them, The camel backs are still worth $125.00 after you fix them up!!.

04-10-2003 06:20 PM

70 nova

camle hump heads for 125$

I can get a pair of 186 camle hump heads for 125$ but they have to be reworked all the way are they wreath it they have the bolt holes. Can any one tell me any than about them.